About Us

About the Friends of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby

The Friends of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, a non-profit group, was formed in 1995 by residents in Kangaroo Valley, but our membership has expanded to include people from throughout the Shoalhaven, Sydney, other states and overseas. We have a strong association with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (Department of Planning & Environment). We are an Incorporated group with the Department of Fair Trading and have over 100 members, our own Constitution and an Executive Committee. We are also a registered Bushcare group and have Tax-deductible donation status.

Our aim and objectives

Our aim is to increase the numbers of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies by reducing threats to its survival and to create a better environment for the species to breed. Our group’s objectives are to:

  • Provide support for and to foster public awareness of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby.
  • Assist with special projects selected by the group in consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and/or other groups.
  • Support the effective conservation of native flora and fauna.
  • Raise funds for projects aimed at recovering the species.
  • Promote the control of feral species impacting on Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies.
Photo of the Rock Wallabies named Cliff & Tara
Cliff and Tara

Our vision

A future where Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies thrive in the wild in a biodiverse Australia.

Our mission

1. To support the recovery of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in the Shoalhaven region by:

  • developing community support
  • providing education for the next generation
  • raising public awareness, and
  • being an advocate for the conservation of the threatened Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby

 

2. To actively collaborate with other groups working for the recovery of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and fostering a biodiverse Australia.

Our constitution

View the Constitution of the Friends of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Incorporated.  

About our activities

  • We support the local National Parks and Wildlife Service fox control program and encourage others to do so.
  • We foster important research and conduct education and community awareness.
  • Many of the Friends participate in fox control on their properties as part of a network of bait stations throughout the Shoalhaven.
  • We had direct input into the development of the NSW Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Recovery Plan and continue to play a key role in the ‘Community Involvement’ Actions listed within the Plan. As the Plan states, “The successful implementation of Recovery Actions relies on the participation of all sectors of the community”.

How we use the funds we raise

The Friends host numerous fundraising events and regularly participate in local community events. Funds raised by the Friends have been used to:

Ongoing

  • Fund trapping and shooting of feral animals that threaten the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in Kangaroo Valley.
  • Funded 4g cameras for the surveillance of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby colonies.
  • Funding for the Juvenile Radio-tracking Project conducted over several years including purchase of radio-tracking collars and monitoring equipment.
  • Partial sponsorship of enclosures for the NSW Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Captive Breeding Program.
  • Fund and assist with surveys for new Rock-wallaby colonies in the Shoalhaven.
  • Conduct school education programs within the Shoalhaven

Previously

  • Funding for weed control contractors in a Kangaroo Valley colony devastated by the 2019 fires.
  • Produced information brochures on Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies and fox control.
  • Produced a video on the plight of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies and what is being done to assist in saving the species in the Shoalhaven.
  • Supported local community events including the Kangaroo Valley Rock-wallaby youth festival.
  • Funded feral goat control within the Shoalhaven.
  • Partially funded the trial release of 2 male captively bred Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies to a severely declining local colony in 2001.
  • Provided yearly scholarships to the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, for the Master of Wildlife Heath and Population Management.

Grants & Awards

Since 1995, the Friends have received numerous Grants and Awards for our work to assist with the ongoing survival of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies.

$5,000 from Wettenhall Environment Trust for an Endangered Wildlife Kids Trail in Kangaroo Valley.
$10,000 Investing in Rural Community Futures Ongoing Partnership Grants, Nowra from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewals Grants
2022
$5,000 from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources for Weed Control (after 2019 fires).
$19,900 from the Landcare Led-Bushfire Recovery Grants Program for the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Feral Predator Control Project
2021
$12,216 from the Foundation of National Parks and Wildlife Community Conservation Grants for the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Radio-tracking Project.
$5,000 from South-East Local Land Services for Emergency Pest Mitigation and Habitat Protection.
$10,000 for Phase 2 Support to joint NPWS/LLS Fox Control Program
2020
$14,000 Vertebrate Pest Management Program Grant from South-East Local Land Services.
$9,500 from the National Landcare Program Small Grants Project for a Community Engagement Tool (Taxidermy Display)
2019
$20,000 Targeted Threatened Species Program Grant from South-East Local Land Service
2018
Special Commendation in the Community Award category by the United Nations Association of Australia for excellence in education, partnerships, introduced predator management and engendering community support
2018
$40,000 Community Education Grant from the Environment Trust for building resilience in our community through School Education Programs over 3 years, a pest awareness and management training day, pest issues questionnaire to compare with our 2010 community survey, and create/disseminate an educational documentary (On the Edge) and brochures.
2014
$6,636 Veolia Mulwaree Community Grant.
$6,500 WaterNSW Catchment Improvement and Protection Grant
2013
$9,000 Caring For Our Country – Community Action Grant
2010
Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority funding for expanding fox control efforts in the Shoalhaven using trapping and shooting methods
2006
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Save Our Species program funding for an information brochure on fox control and the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby
2003
Foundation for National Parks funding to conduct a School Education program on the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and other threatened species at six schools within the Shoalhaven
2001
AGL Friends of National Parks Award for highly commended efforts in conservation for National Parks in NSW
1997
Readers Digest Fiftieth Anniversary Award for Environmental Endeavour
1996
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We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work, and play. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and their continuing connection to Country.

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